Talks

Creating Space For Creative Spaces

TIME: 3:20 PM

LOCATION: RBC Place • 300 York St. • London, ON

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Very little of our cities’ cultural infrastructure (including music venues, alt spaces, studios and rehearsal spaces) is owned by those occupying it. With spiralling land valuation, development pressures, inflation and no cap on commercial leases, music tenants are constantly being displaced. Threats to intangible cultural heritage impacts not just music uses, but also threatens independent restaurants and coffee shops, retailers, standalone grocers – and the real character of neighbourhoods. Can music businesses compete with tenants that are able to pay rising main street lease rates? Does government play a role in ensuring space is preserved for the broader cultural sector?

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Panelists

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  Mike Tanner

  Manager, Music Sector Development, City of Toronto

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  Demetri Manuel

  Owner & Operations Manager, London Music Hall/Rum Runners

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  Heela Omarkhail

  Vice President, Social Impact, The Daniels Corporation

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  John Fleming

  Planner, Researcher, Professor and Former Managing Director of Planning at The City of London

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  Cathy Parsons

  Manager, Economic Partnerships, Planning & Economic Development, City of London